Sermon Tone Analysis

*Trial by Fire*

Video June 4, 2008

True or False Worship

 

Focal versus: Dan 3:8-18 (from the NIV)

 

8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews.

9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever! 10 You have issued a decree, O king, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace.

12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon-Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego-who pay no attention to you, O king.

They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up."

13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good.

But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace.

Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.

17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.

18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

 

Prayer:

 

*Introduction*  Familiar story \\ Chap1 – Daniel and his 3 friends – captives from Israel \\ They would not allow themselves to be defiled - \\       Live holy lives despite their circumstances \\ God blessed them \\ Then one day….

King Nebuchadnezzar commanded that all should worship an image of himself

      To unite the kingdom \\ Assure Allegiance of his the leaders \\ Serve is ego

The option was to Bow or burn

 

      Issues that we face every day

      How do we handle it?

We’re going to look at:

 

The Accusation:  versus Dan 3:10-12

 

The Confrontation: versus Dan 3:13-15

 

The Response: verses Dan 3:16-18

 

*The Accusation*:  versus Dan 3:10-12

 

12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon-Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego-who pay no attention to you, O king.

They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up."

 

Accusations are all around us

 

“Christian are the most persecuted anywhere in the world”

It is a crime a in many Moslem nations to convert to Christianity – often time punishable by death.

Ruth (her Christian name) was a young woman we knew in Indonesia.

\\ \\ She was from a Moslem family but she engage to Samuel, a young seminary student who worked with our street children ministry.

\\ \\ Her family just thought she was dappling or exploring other religions, until she was baptized – then they were trying to kill her and Samuel.

We sheltered her for several weeks.

In one area we heard that the first thing taught to a new Christian in discipleship training was “This is what you will say as you are being martyred.”

But Bro Doug, we are not being made to bow down to a golden idol.

\\ \\ Oh yes we are – daily we are to bow down to god of atheism.

\\ they would have us believe that atheism is not a belief system – But it is

 

Evolution

No prayer in school or in government meetings

 

No God in government \\ Separation of church and state Letter from Jefferson \\ No government in church not church in government

Who are you to impose your beliefs on me?

 

Kids face presser every day

 

YOU are not a team player

COME ON! -EVERYBODY is doing it

You are just a goody-two-shoe

What a wimp!

Know one will ever know!

We are faced with modern day idols:

 

Everybody worships something – Atheist may worship himself

If anything comes between us and God – we may be guilty of worshiping an Idol

 

Modern day idols:  If you are not worshipping the TRUE God – then you must be worshipping a false god.

Possessions

      Power

      Acceptance – do we follow the crowd?

Pleasure - Television – entertainment

2 Tim 3:1-5

3:1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.

2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power.

Have nothing to do with them.

NIV

 

The power of music (vs 10)  everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold

      Music has influence – we use it worship

      What is the influence music have over you?

Godly or sinful?

*The Confrontation:* versus Dan 3:13-15

 

13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good.

But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace.

Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"

 

*Is this true?* (vs Dan 3:14)

 

1 Peter 3:15-16

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

But do this with gentleness and respect, NIV

 

If you were on trial for being a Christian – would there be enough evidence to convict you?

 

Banda Aceh – asked why were we there

 

The pressure is on – Ruth -Martyrs

 

Another chance to sin (Dan 3:15)

“Oh come on – don’t be a fuddy-duddy.

Your last chance to be one of the boys”

 

 

 

\\ *The Response*: verses Dan 3:16-18

 

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.

17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.

18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

According to the Supreme Court, all religious beliefs are either preferences or convictions.

Only convictions are protected under the First Amendment.

A belief is a preference when, under certain circumstances, that belief can be changed.

a.

Peer pressure.

b.

Family pressure.

Luke 14:26-27"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-yes, even his own life-he cannot be my disciple.

NIV

        c.

Litigation pressure.

d.

Jail pressure.

e.